Crist: End Cuba embargo

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, currently campaigning to retake the governor’s mansion, believes the Cuba embargo didn’t work and should be “taken away.”

“I mean the embargo has been there — what — 50 years now? I don’t think it worked. It is obvious to me that we need to move forward and I think get the embargo taken away. Really. I believe that,” Crist said Friday during HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

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The Republican-turned-Democrat, who is challenging incumbent GOP Gov. Rick Scott, made the case for lifting the embargo as a jobs creator for his state.

“From a selfish point of view as a Floridian, I’d like to see that happen because a lot of construction would be required on the island, and South Florida could be the launching pad for all of that and really create some jobs for the people of my state,” the former governor said.

Maher said the issue was mishandled.

“If we had done the right thing, years ago, Cuba now would be St. Bart’s, and all the kids who are going on spring break would be there next month having a great time and drinking mai tais,” the liberal comic said.

Maher said there aren’t many Florida politicians standing up to the “small Cuban community.”

“Well, I think they need to; I think it’s the right thing,” Crist said.

Following his appearance, Crist sent a statement to further clarify his position on the issue, repeating that the embargo has “done nothing in more than fifty years to change the regime in Cuba.”

“If we want to bring democracy to Cuba, we need to encourage American values and investment there, not block ourselves out and cede influence to China,” the statement said. “It will take time, and we must do it in a way where American investment helps people, not the dictatorship.”

He added that Florida is the state hurt most by the embargo and that a change in policy would benefit the state’s economy and industries.